Business series hopes to strengthen Valley’s economy

FRESNO

September 1, 2015 11:10am

•  To be offered at Fresno Pacific University

•  “This region has a burgeoning tech industry and is poised for break-out success”

 “Strengthening the Economy of the Central Valley” is the title of a new leadership series this fall at Fresno Pacific University. The series, sponsored by the FPU School of Business, is expected to bring together experts in ways that benefit the region. “Our hope is that the series will serve communities throughout the Valley by inviting thought leaders to highlight key issues relevant to our business leaders,” says John Kilroy, dean of the FPU School of Business.

The debut session will be “The Technology Landscape” on Friday, Sept. 25, in BC Lounge on the FPU main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m. with a panel discussion by local tech and community leaders from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Admission is free; register online at fpu.edu/technology. Scheduled panelists are:

• Jake Soberal, CEO, Bitwise Industries

• Jamin Brazil, CEO, Decipher, Inc., and CMO, FocusVision

• Irma Olguin Jr., co-founder and CTO, Geekwise Academy, and co-founder, Bitwise Industries

• William Dyck, owner and CEO, Summa Development Group

“This will be a dynamic discussion about the intersection of innovation and technology in the Valley’s future,” says Andrea McAleenan, associate professor of business and director of business partnerships. “This region has a burgeoning tech industry and is poised for break-out success.” Other guests in “Strengthening the Economy of the Central Valley” include:

• Bill George, author of Discover Your True North, at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Mr. George is professor of management at Harvard Business School and former chairman and CEO of Medatronic. The fee of $25 includes breakfast and a copy of his newly revised book.

• Marja-Liisa Tenhunen at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21. Ms. Tenhunen is an economist from Finland, former university rector and international lecturer on the European Union’s relationship to Russia and the Ukraine. Admission is free.

• Andy Crouch, author and executive editor of Christianity Today, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1. Co-sponsored with the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. Admission is $15, students free.

• Greg Sommers, director of the master of science in accounting program at Southern Methodist University, from 8:00 a.m. until noon Saturday, Jan. 16. His presentation is titled “The Role of Accounting in Valuation: Tools for Financial Management.” Admission is $20.

All events take place on the FPU main campus. For more information, contact Andrea McAleenan at andrea.mcaleenan@fresno.edu or (559) 453-4647.

http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=28986